Online games: Fun and games, or data mining operation?
Online games are a popular pastime for people of all ages, but a new study has revealed that some games are using dark design patterns to collect player data without their consent.
The study, conducted by researchers at Aalto University in Finland, analyzed the privacy policies and practices of over 200 popular online games. The researchers found that many of the games used dark design patterns, which are interface design elements that are designed to manipulate users into doing something they otherwise wouldn’t.
Some of the dark design patterns identified by the researchers included:
1. Hiding privacy information: Many games buried their privacy policies in hard-to-find places, or made them difficult to read and understand.
2. Pre-checked consent boxes: Some games automatically checked the boxes for consent to data collection, forcing players to uncheck them if they didn’t want their data to be collected.
3. Nudging players to consent: Some games used nudging techniques, such as social pressure or reciprocity, to encourage players to consent to data collection.
4. Making it difficult to opt out: Some games made it difficult for players to opt out of data collection, or required them to take multiple steps to do so.
The researchers also found that many of the games collected more data than they needed, and that they shared this data with third-party companies without players’ consent.
The study’s findings are concerning, given the amount of personal data that can be collected from online games. Player data can include demographic information, gaming habits, and even personal financial information. This data can be used for a variety of purposes, including targeted advertising, profiling, and even surveillance.
What can be done to protect player data?
There are a number of things that can be done to protect player data from dark design patterns.
Game developers should be transparent about their data collection practices: Game developers should make their privacy policies clear and easy to understand. They should also be transparent about what data they collect and how they use it.
Game developers should give players control over their data: Game developers should give players the option to opt out of data collection and to delete their data at any time. They should also make it easy for players to do so.
Players should be careful about what games they play: Players should only play games from developers that they trust. They should also read the privacy policy of any game before they play it.
Players should use a VPN when playing online games: A VPN can help to protect players’ data from being intercepted by third parties.
Conclusion
The study by Aalto University researchers is a timely reminder of the importance of protecting player data. Game developers need to be more transparent about their data collection practices and give players more control over their data. Players also need to be careful about what games they play and take steps to protect their data.
In addition to the steps mentioned above, players can also use ad blockers and tracking blockers to prevent their data from being collected by third-party companies. Players should also be aware of the risks of playing online games with strangers and should avoid sharing personal information with them.
By taking these steps, players can help to protect their data and privacy when playing online games.
